Wallabies await as confidence rising in the England camp

ALL week England coach Brian Ashton claimed that confidence was rising, that it was getting better. That soon we would see the real England.

Well, it was not quite that as England defeated Tonga 36-20 to take their place against Australia in the quarter- final of the World Cup at the Parc des Princes.

For large parts it matched the Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night which blasted over the speaker as each try was scored.

But the truth is, Ashton’s men defied the “Bye, bye England” banners and the neutrals who shouted themselves hoarse for the boys in red and a hostile atmosphere in this intimate stadium.

And, let’s just say, it could have been a whole lot worse.

It might have been but for two-try winger Paul Sackey, having the tournament of his career, and of course the perennial saviour known as Jonny Wilkinson.

If it had not been for their contributions at key moments of this match England might be booking tickets on the Eurostar home. But they are not. Instead they will head to Marseille and a repeat of the last World Cup final against an Australian

side, many of whose members backed Tonga to win this match.

If there is anything guaranteed to fire up captain Martin Corry and his pack it is hearing such Aussie taunts.

Yet here we should employ that well-worn England phrase of this World Cup: “Don’t get carried away”.

A little perspective here. The last time these two teams met, in the 1999 World Cup, England ran out 101-10 winners.

The Tongans, whose ranks are sprinkled with men from Europe’s biggest clubs, have improved at pace these past eight years while England have gone backwards far and fast.

It costs around £2 million (€2.86m) to run the England squad; around £150,000 to assemble the Tongans.

The figures do not add up – not when you see Tongan forwards such as Finau Maka and Nili Latu cutting swathes through England’s defence.

Not when you see Sukanaivalu Hufanga carrying what seemed like the entire three-quarter line over for the first Tongan try. And at 10-3 you feared for England.

Cue Wilkinson — as always. When most number 10s would have been thankful to kick the penalty in the 19th minute, Wilkinson spurned the posts, spied Sackey in space and floated over the kick for the wing to catch and slide in for the touchdown.

In truth, with England’s centres, Olly Barkley and Mathew Tait, missing tackle after tackle, England looked less than ordinary in attack apart from the man with the number 10 on his back.

A little luck always helps, of course, and Tonga gifted Sackey his second try when they fumbled a three-quarter movement, the ball ending up at the winger’s feet who sped 60 metres for the touchdown.

It gave England a crucial cushion and at last they began to play with some freedom.

Ashton also replaced Barkley with Andy Farrell, adding muscle to the middle ground and the reward was a try for Tait and a quite wonderful step and go from Farrell himself to score his first try for England between the posts. It will be difficult for Ashton to leave him out next week.

At the end of a hugely physical battle England had their win, their place in the knockout stages and a mouth- watering clash against Australia.

The odds are with the men in gold. The force, however, is tilting just a little more towards the men in white.

England scorers: Tries: Sackey 2, Tait, Farrell. Cons: Wilkinson 2. Pens: Wilkinson 2. Drop Goals: Wilkinson 2.

ENGLAND: Lewsey, Sackey, Tait, Barkley, Cueto, Wilkinson, Gomarsall, Sheridan, Chuter, Stevens, Borthwick, Kay, Corry, Moody, Easter.

Replacements: Hipkiss for Sackey (68), Farrell for Barkley (52), Richards for Cueto (73), Mears for Chuter (68), Vickery for Stevens (57), Dallaglio for Corry (65). Not Used: Worsley.

Tonga scorers: Tries: Hufanga, T-Pole. Cons: Hola 2. Pens: Hola 2.

TONGA: Lilo, Tu’ifua, Hufanga, Taione, Vaka, Hola, Tuipulotu, S. Tonga’uiha, Lutui, Pulu, Vaki, Fa’aoso, T-Pole, Latu, Maka. Replacements: H. Tonga’uiha for Hufanga (60), Havili for Vaka (67), Hehea for Tuipulotu (69), Filise for S. Tonga’uiha (46), Molitika for Vaki (61), Afeaki for Fa’aoso (67), Taukafa for Latu (66).

Ref: Alain Rolland (Ireland).